IT wasan ecstatic Saturday evening at Kwetu Film Institute as learners of Rwanda Rocks music school showcased their unique musical talents.

Comedian Arthur Nkusi, who was the MC, Hope Irakoze, the 2013 Tusker Project Fame Winner, Burundian drummers, Royal Dance Company from Uganda and students entertained guests who included parents.

Rwanda Rocks children’s music school was founded by Mary Fanaro, an American citizen, under her initiative OmniPeace with a mission to help young children harness their hidden music talents.

 "Today, we are happy to launch music programmes of our school. Our mission is to help young children to show their creative power through music. This is the Eighth school in Africa. Rwanda is the fourth country after Senegal, Mali and Malawi,” Fanaro explained.

During the event three programmes were launched in the categories of guitar, drums, and song composition with piano. The three will have twelve students each.

The evening show kicked off with Deo Munyakazi and Emmanuel Habimana premiering the traditional Rwandan string harp, known as known as Iningiri.

The students took turns to prove to the guests that they had the potential to use the acquired music skills with guidance of American music composer Richard Carrick. Amani Habumugisha performed a song titled Happy while Donathe Musabyimana also did her own song Sunny and Gloria Umwiza; also a student performed My future.

Parents were more than delighted to see their children perform. Angelica Akimana, the mother of Janvier Uwihoreye expressed her delight.

 "The school is important for children to fulfil their dreams. I let my son study music because he loves it. I am quite sure that from the acquired skills, he will be able to make a living out of it,” the mother said.

On his part, Uwihoreye is confident that through music he has a bright future. The 12-year-old affirms that he has the dream to perform at the international stage.

Hope Irakoze and his band in particular thrilled the audience. During his performances, the ‘Three Hills’ crew star, with his huge voice, belted out a number of his own songs as well as Bob Marley’s One love, Pharrel William’s Happy and King James’s Yantumye , among others.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw